Here/There

Pianist Adam Shulman's group is another collection of accomplished straight-ahead players, in this case all based in San Francisco. The music here is reminiscent of Joe Henderson's 1960s repertoire, with ample Elvin Jones-esque swing and Afro- Cuban grooves. On the opener, "Grant and Green," which is named after a beloved watering hole near Coit Tower, an angular melody makes way for a burning improvisation from trumpeter Mike Olmos. Tenorman Rob Roth's playing is also full of fire, but he struggles to lock in with the rhythm section. Patrick Wolff fares better on alto, favoring a fluid approach punctuated with strategically placed accents. On drums and bass, respectively, Smith Dobson and John Wiitala (a frequent Randy Porter sideman) conjure up a pleasantly bouncy swing. Shulman's rolling bebop lines may not stand out among the ensemble, but only because he's gathered such a fine band to surround him.